Because the situation remains fluid until Andrés Muñoz gets an MRI, it’s difficult to predict whether he will require an injured list stint or receive some rest until the weekend. For now, here’s our capsule featured on Seattle’s team page:
- A wild pitch during a save opportunity set of an unfortunate chain of events for Andrés Muñoz. This tweet replays the play at home which caused an awkward tumble for Seattle’s closer. Of more concern, this report by Adam Jude of The Seattle Times about the reliever pitching with a back brace before this collision. Muñoz will undergo an MRI and his fantasy managers will nervously await news about the severity of his potential injury and how the team will manage his return. In the interim, Ryne Stanek should emerge as the preferred save share, though there will be games Scott Servais will use a match-up-based approach in the late innings. Stanek’s been scoreless in eight of his last ninth appearances, including Tuesday night, with two wins, a save in two chances, and four holds with 11 strikeouts versus one walk through 8.2 innings. For now, just tweaking the hierarchy until the MRI results are reported. If Muñoz requires time on the injured list, Trent Thornton will enter the hierarchy.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Tayler Saucedo
This hierarchy and Detroit’s shifted after last night’s contests, with more potentially transitioning soon. Tuesday’s full slate also featured six reliever wins and nine saves, covered in our condensed and full game recaps.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | CWS): Taking over with a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, Jordan Leasure allowed two hits, including a go-ahead two-RBI double by Ian Happ and a walk while striking out one, resulting in his first loss and third blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
(RP | CLE): Moving into a tie for the major league lead in saves and the American League’s most, Emmanuel Clase tossed a scoreless ninth, issuing a walk and striking out two for his 19th save.
(RP | DET): A fantasy fan favorite one-out save for Jason Foley. He took over with a runner on and two-outs in the bottom of the ninth and induced a game-ending groundout for his 12th save.
(RP | HOU): Like riding a bicycle, Ryan Pressly converted his first save this season, firing a clean ninth and striking out one against St. Louis. This represents his first regular-season save since September 29, 2024.
(RP | KCR): Taking over in the seventh, Sam Long gave up a hit, two unearned runs, and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh, resulting in his first loss.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
(RP | LAA): Capping his team’s three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh, Carlos Estévez secured his tenth save, retiring the side against the Padres.
(RP | SEA): Forced into action with a runner on and two outs, Tayler Saucedo issued a walk and induced a game-ending groundout by Brent Rooker, preserving a one-run win and resulting in his second save.
(RP | TBR): Entering a tough situation, Pete Fairbanks was summoned with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the ninth. He responded by securing his seventh save, recording consecutive strikeouts and a game-ending grounder.
National League
(RP | ARI): Working around a lead-off hit batter, Paul Sewald retired the next three, including consecutive strikeouts, while recording his sixth save.
(RP | CHC): Although he issued a walk resulting in a stolen base, Héctor Neris secured his eighth save while preserving a one-run comeback win over the White Sox, benefiting from picking off a runner at second base before inducing a game-ending pop-out.
(RP | MIA): Appearing during a loss, Tanner Scott navigated around a one-out walk (Brandon Lowe) and a single by Amed Rosario with consecutive strikeouts. Scott threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (26.1 SwStr%). He’s riding an 11-game scoreless streak, during which he’s recorded 13 strikeouts against six walks with three wins and three saves over 11.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | A.J. Puk| Anthony Bender
(RP | MIL): Tasked with a tied score in the bottom of the tenth, Joel Payamps issued an intentional walk and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Nick Castellanos, resulting in his second loss.
(RP | NYM): Closing out a win in a non-save capacity, Reed Garrett issued a lead-off walk to Jesse Winker, a high-leverage mortal sin. Jacob Young produced an RBI single after consecutive strikeouts, and the runner moved up because of defensive indifference. A second walk brought the tying run to the plate, but Garrett induced a game-ending flyout by Lane Thomas. He’s recorded two saves since May 19 but has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over his last eight innings.
Hierarchy remains: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | *Adam Ottavino
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | PIT): David Bednar retired the side on eight pitches, nailing his ninth save and finishing a combined 1-0 win over the Dodgers.
(RP | SDP): Yuki Matsui‘s second loss came after another ineffective outing. In the bottom of the seventh, he took over a tied game and gave up two walks and a hit, resulting in three earned runs without recording an out. He’s allowed three earned runs in his two outings in June, signaling potential fatigue.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, June 5
- Ryan Thompson (ARI): Sewald has pitched in two straight games, leaving today’s save chance in Thompson’s fate.
- Shelby Miller (DET): Foley has appeared three times in the last four days, and Holton has thrown 36 pitches over the last three, leaving the leverage cupboard a bit thin.
- Carson Fulmer (LAA): Estévez has pitched on back-to-back days, Strickland in three straight, and García struggled last night, leaving Fulmer potentially in line for the save today.
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, June 6
- Hunter Harvey (WSH): If Finnegan pitches today, it will make two in a row, and Harvey will be provided with the save chance on Thursday.
- Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC): He did not pitch on Tuesday, and if Neris works today, he should get Thursday off.
American League – Game Recaps
Cleveland Guardians – Shutting the door on his 19th save, Emmanuel Clase allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, closing out a three-run win over the Royals. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%). He’s given up one unearned run over his last 16 appearances while converting 11 of 12 saves with 16 strikeouts against two walks. Scott Barlow tossed a clean eighth, striking out one for his 15th hold. Cade Smith stranded a runner in the sixth and logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit en route to his third win.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Cade Smith
Detroit Tigers – Operating in his team’s match-up-based approach, Jason Foley took over with a runner on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. He induced a game-ending groundout by Wyatt Langford, securing his 12th save on only five pitches. Tyler Holton was credited with his third hold, giving up two hits, including a bloop single and an earned run over his two-thirds of the ninth. Shelby Miller returned from the injured list with 1.1 clean frames, recording three strikeouts for his fourth hold. Alex Faedo worked 1.2 scoreless innings, navigating around a hit and three walks while striking out two, earning his sixth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
Houston Astros – Handed a three-run lead in the ninth, Ryan Pressly notched his first save this year, retiring the side and striking out one. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%). Bryan Abreu logged 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two for his 12th hold. Seth Martinez gave up two hits and an earned run while securing his second hold. Tayler Scott was credited with his second win, logging two innings while giving up three hits and an earned run.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Angels – Locking down his tenth save, Carlos Estévez retired the side against San Diego, preserving a two-run win. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s on a modest three-game scoreless streak, securing a save in each outing. Hunter Strickland stranded two runners and retired his only batter, Ha-Seong Kim, on a pop-out for his third hold. Luis García was credited with his sixth hold despite giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out two over his two-thirds of the eighth. Matt Moore collected his second win, working a scoreless seventh and issuing a walk.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Matt Moore
Tampa Bay Rays – Inheriting a bases-loaded situation with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, Pete Fairbanks quelled the rally with consecutive strikeouts and a game-ending groundout for his seventh save. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s converted a save in his last two appearances and only allowed one unearned run since May 11 with an 11:2 K:BB over 11 innings. Phil Maton made the mess, allowing three hits without recording an out in the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Garrett Cleavinger
National League – Game Recaps
Arizona Diamondbacks – Save number six for Paul Sewald. He began his save chance with a hit batter (Thairo Estrada) but induced a ground-out and recorded consecutive strikeouts while preserving the win over the Giants. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%). This outing extended his scoreless streak to nine games, and he’s converted all six save chances with nine strikeouts against one walk through 8.1 innings. Bryce Jarvis had a rough eighth, giving up a three-run home run by Mike Yastrzemski and two walks while striking out two. Justin Martinez notched his third hold, tossing a scoreless seventh. He gave up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. Joe Mantiply retired his only batter and stranded a runner for his fifth hold. Kevin Ginkel collected his fourth win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Joe Mantiply
Chicago Cubs – Working around a one-out walk with a caught stealing and a game-ending pop-out, Héctor Neris recorded his eighth save with a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run win. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in both outings this month. Luke Little collected his second win, retiring the side in the eighth and striking out two ahead of his team’s rally. Hayden Wesneski allowed a go-ahead solo home run by Luis Robert Jr. in the seventh. Tyson Miller stranded a runner in the fifth and logged 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Hayden Wesneski
Milwaukee Brewers – After his team did not score in the top of the tenth, Joel Payamps suffered his second loss. He issued an intentional walk (Bryson Stott) and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Nick Castellanos, scoring the “place” runner. Trevor Megill tossed a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and an intentional walk (Bryce Harper) while recording all three outs via strikeout. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%). Elvis Peguero was tagged with his second blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run by Alec Bohm. He also issued a walk and struck out one in the eighth. Bryan Hudson logged 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
Pittsburgh Pirates – Preserving a combined 1-0 shutout, David Bednar fired a clean top of the ninth against the Dodgers’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He threw eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a modest seven-game scoreless steak and has been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 with five saves and seven strikeouts versus two walks over 10.1 innings. Aroldis Chapman navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two for his 11th hold. Colin Holderman worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and recording his seventh hold.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Colin Holderman | Aroldis Chapman
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Emmanuel Clase and his cutters, video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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